Early Christian Era: Leaders and Theologians

Question 1

Ephrem the Syrian (Syriac)

Answer 1

• Syriac theologian, biblical exegete, hymnwriter
• 4th century
• Associated with Edessa at crossroads of Roman and Persian empires
• His popular hymns, often sung by all-female choirs, influential in opposing heresy
• Father of the Syriac-speaking church

Question 2

Important Christian Emperors

Answer 2

• Constantine the Great, early 4th century (Christianity tolerated)
• Theodosius, late 4th century (paganism proscribed)
• Justinian I, 6th century (flowering of Byzantine culture, built Hagia Sophia)

Question 3

Athanasius (Greek)

Answer 3

• Bishop of Alexandria, theologian
• 4th century
• Defender of Nicene orthodoxy and opponent of Arianism
• Often exiled for his firm beliefs
• Wrote important work On the Incarnation and Life of Anthony
• Known as Athanasius Contra Mundum (“Athanasius against the world”)

Question 4

Eusebius of Caesarea (Greek)

Answer 4

• Bishop of Caesarea Maritima (in Palestine)
• 3rd-4th centuries
• The ‘Father of Church History’
• Among many historical writings, wrote the famous Ecclesiastical History
• Biographer of Constantine the Great

Question 5

The Cappadocians (Greek)

Answer 5

• Macrina
• Basil the Great
• Gregory of Nyssa
• Gregory of Nazianzus

Question 6

Basil the Great

(Cappadocian)

Answer 6

• bishop of Caesarea (in Asia Minor), theologian, institutional founder
• One of the Cappadocian Fathers (brother of Gregory of Nyssa and Macrina)
• 4th century
• defender of Nicene orthodoxy
• Organizer of communal monasticism, hospitals, hostels for the poor
• Wrote important treatise On The Holy Spirit

Question 7

Macrina the Younger

(Cappadocian)

Answer 7

• One of the 4th-century Cappadocians
• Spiritual influence upon her brothers Basil and Gregory of Nyssa
• Established a thriving ascetic community on the family estate in Pontus
• Gregory of Nyssa wrote her life and testified to her theological competence and sanctity

Question 8

John Chrysostom (Greek)

Answer 8

• Archbishop of Constantinople, prolific theological writer, “golden tongued” orator
• 4th century
• Important biblical expositor
• A moral reformer, he came into conflict with Empress for his attack on corruption
• Opposed abuse of wealth, concerned for the poor, founded hospitals
• On the Priesthood, major work on Christian ministry

Question 9

Ambrose of Milan (Latin)

Answer 9

• Bishop of Milan
• 4th century (Latin West)
• Stood up to mother of emperor
• Opposed Arianism
• Commanded penance for emperor Theodosius
• Influenced Augustine

Question 10

Gregory of Nyssa

(Cappadocian)

Answer 10

• bishop of Nyssa (in Asia Minor), Nicene theologian
• One of the Cappadocian Fathers (brother of Basil and Macrina)
• 4th century
• Treatises defending the Trinity and Incarnation
• Ascetical writings and “spiritual” exegesis in the tradition of Origen

Question 11

Gregory the Great (Latin)

Answer 11

• Pope, last of the Latin Fathers and Doctors of the Church
• 6th (and very early 7th) century
• monastic founder, promoter; wrote life of Benedict
• sent missionaries to England
• stepped into administration of Rome during famine, plague, and barbarain invasion
• biblical and practical writer, fostered worship and liturgical music
• Wrote influential Pastoral Rule

Question 12

Gregory of Nazianzus

(Cappadocian)

Answer 12

• Gregory “the Theologian”
• One of the Cappadocian Fathers (later Archbishop of Constantinople)
• 4th century
• Classically trained in Athens
• Trinitarian, Nicene theologian, elaborates doctrine of the Spirit (“procession”)

Question 13

Jerome (Latin)

Answer 13

• Latin theologian, ascetic, major biblical scholar, translator
• 4th century
• Studied in Rome, widely travelled, settled in Bethlehem as monk
• Translated Scriptures into Latin (Vulgate) and accepted Hebrew canon (without Apocrypha)
• Engaged in (often bitter) controversies with heretics (and friends!)

Question 14

Augustine of Hippo (Latin)

Answer 14

• North African bishop of Hippo and theologian
• 4th - 5th centuries
• Wrote important autobiography, Confessions
• Defended a catholic vision of the church and sacraments against Donatists
• Defended the priority of God’s grace against Pelagius
• Major treatises: The City of God, On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine
• Enormous influence on the medieval church and the Reformers